Child Labor and the International Labor Organization - Assignment Example

Issue Report-Child labor The concern over the of child labor continues to grow despite the milestones made in the emancipation of the societies regarding the issues of human rights and freedoms. The concern over the lives of over a billion children across the globe and their future, which hangs on the gloom from the challenge of child labor, is remarkably impacting on the society. Further, the establishment of various entities, organizations, governments and individual works, all focusing on the issue of child labor and its eradication, depicts the vast significance entailed in the subject of child labor. The International Labor Organization (ILO) is among the leading entities that give the due priority to the issue, particularly considering that the issue lies within its confines. Thus, the ILO conventions are a key observation of the issue in the course of this research. The course of the report on child labor facilitates the evidence of the issue and its vast impact on the society, as well as, the lives of the individual children undergoing the labor issue. The presence of international actors such as IPEC and SCREAM, as well as the United Nations among others, presents the significance of the subject of child labor. Recommendations for support towards the various entities entailed n the fight against child labor is notable from this report. Managing the issue of child labor requires the support of all the sources. Introduction Description of the issue The International Labor Organization conventions remain the core basis for defining the subject of child labor and all its conceptualized dangers and effects (Srivastava 1). Children are the assurance of the posterity of a nation and thus, their growth constitutes core priority from the structures of the government, such including assurance of education and their social development. Thus, this is evidently contrary to the actual beliefs and practices entailing child labor, which continues to engulf many children, stealing their years of development and growth. This menacing issue of child labor reflects across all diversities of life, from the races and ethnicities to the divide in development of the varied countries, irrespective of the political or economic status of the nations (Edmonds & Nina 213). The causative agents in their expansive confines require the larger society, across the global bridge to facilitate the course for mitigating the issue accordingly. Identifying the organizations addressing the issue The leading facilitators in addressing the concern of child labor includes the International Labor Organization which engages accordingly to establish the freedoms of the children. The IPEC (International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor) seeks the course of child labor in regional and global coverage, creating awareness accordingly and enacting measures to stop child labor (Choppara 72). Another notable organization to factor is the SCREAM, (Supporting Children Rights through Education, the Arts and the Media) (Choppara 76), which seeks the course of alleviating the issue of child labor accordingly through various programs. Thus, supporting these establishments is a core course, which effectively influences the fight against child labor positively. Significance of the issue Notably, the International Labor Organization estimates that out of the total children in child labor, two thirds are active in the agricultural sector (Otis, Mayers & Emily 613). A shocking revelation is that the children in the rural area begin agricultural labor at the young age of five to seven years. Further, as the children engage in child labor, a majority subscribe to hazardous conditions including aspects such as enduring unwarranted beatings, practices of humiliation and sexual violence from the employers (Otis, Mayers & Emily 615). Further, the Asia/Pacific region remains on the lead in having the highest numbers of child laborers, with over 122 million children working as laborers (Otis, Mayers & Emily 617). Additionally, the Sub Saharan Africa is also key in the contribution to the vast population of children in child labor. In Africa, 26% of the children in the continent are laborers (Otis, Mayers & Emily 618). Such observations as the ILO reports accordingly are depiction of the evil that is child labor. Consequently, it is essential to act and act fast since this evil of child labor is unacceptable and intolerable. The subject of child labor covers all activities of work that children participate forcefully, including the dangerous and unsuitable activities that are against the rights and liberties of the children. Child labor leads to maltreatment of a vast composition of children, endangering their lives. The eventual effect is grave to the children and their mental, social and economic development (Schmitz, Elizabeth & Desi 46). Additionally, the aspects entailed in the causative agents, including insecurity, instability and poverty remain most evident as leading concerns over the issue, hence, the need to address the issue accordingly. Child labor deprives the children of their privileges of childhood, and subjects them o vast harmful elements to their dignity, social and mental development (Srivastava 3). Depriving the children of their childhood rights is unacceptable, and as such, is the need to support all the measures and concepts in place to the effect of managing the issue. For instance, efforts from the varied organizations that seek to alleviate the issue across the globe is a key aspect of action towards managing the issue, financial and moral support is elemental to the course of supporting the measures in action towards child labor. Discussion Rationale on the issue Child labor threatens the rights, freedoms and lives of over 1.2 billion children across the globe, a factor that the society should not take lightly (Otis, Mayers & Emily 611). The trade in child labor threatens the social, economic and political establishment of the children, their countries and the globe in its expansiveness (Wyness 348). A future without responsible leaders will consequently reflect the demise of the society. Thus, facilitating a comprehensive approach to the issue of child labor is a major step towards managing this issue, a course that this report propagates accordingly. Evidence of the concern of child labor remains clear; hence, the need to mobilize accordingly towards managing the issue of concern. Notably, child labor as entailing all the works that prevent children from attaining their rightful childhood experiences such as attending school among other has a vast implication to their lives. Notably, for decades, the expansive gap between the rich and poor continues to reflect accordingly as a leading force driving children from school and into work. The International Labor Organization in its analysis estimates that over 215 million children, who are under child labor, work in remarkably hazardous and extremely explorative conditions (Otis, Mayers & Emily 613). Moreover, the feature entails that the underage children work in all sort of jobs, from the agricultural fields to manufacturing and mining as well as domestic arenas. Moreover, it is evident that some children also engage accordingly in remarkably dangerous trade, including the illicit drug trade and prostitution activities. Additionally, traumatic services such as child soldiers are also elemental in factoring the understanding of the entire depiction of the evil entailing child labor. Analysis of characteristics of child labor Child labor in all its conceptualization appears in varied characteristics. Child labor does serve against the rights and freedoms of the children, reflecting on the features entailed in the practice. Notably, evidence from established research shows that child labor is in utter violation of the minimum age laws, as it entails employing children under the working age and for minimal pay (Wyness 348). Additionally, the evil of child labor threatens the entire well being of the children, from the physical and mental development as well as their emotional well being. This level of instability in development leaves the child entirely non-dependable in future, creating a society where the future is blurred. Thus, child labor deprives the children of their childhood and expected growth stages and experiences, as the other normal children get (Wyness, 349). Further, child labor in practical approach to the enactment of its undesirable practices, it involves the application of intolerable abuse. Notably, some key features of child labor include child slavery. Slavery is among the outlawed practices in virtually all societies across the globe, yet it remains notorious particularly where there is children involved (Ray & Biswajit 104). Further, child labor also involves child trafficking, debt bondage and forced labor, all which are contrary to the law and against the will of the children (Ray & Biswajit 104). Thus, all these conceptualization of the nature of child labor and its encompassing activities reflects the significance of taking a firm stance against the vice and acting accordingly to eradicate the problem from the society. Further, as the children work, they have no access to education as well as health facilitations, a factor that threatens their very existence. Social amenities and provisions are key to a child growth and development and as such, child labor denies the children this basic right (Ray & Biswajit107). Consequently, the entire course of child labor also undermines the labor standards as outlined in various charters; hence, the need to understand the conceptual occurrence of the practices and develop practical approaches and measures to address the issue of concern. Organizational contribution towards the issue The course for action against child labor requires a holistic approach from all angles of the issue, as well as, the support of all elemental organizations and governments that have the capacity to act accordingly. Thus, IPEC and SCREAM are but a few of the organizations responsible for engaging the fight against child labor. Notably IPEC in its recent research and analysis of data regarding child labor reported that about 14% of all the children in the world aged between 5 and 17 years are working as child laborers (Wyness, 346). This implies that in every seven children around the world, one child is subject to child labor. This is a remarkably weighty matter considering the implication of such statistics to the entire future generation and population of the world. Further, of all children in the working sector, a total of 22,000 children die annually from work related accidents and conditions (Choppara 80). This reflects the fatal implication of the practice of child labor with respect to the lives of these innocent beings. However, from the current efforts in palace with regard to addressing the subject of child labor, there is hope as evidence of progress is evident, although at remarkably slow pace. For instance, from 2002 to 2008, the courses of child labor reduced remarkably, by 11 % in total while the population of children in hazardous work reduced by a remarkable 26% (Choppara 80). This implies there is progress in the fight against children working in harmful conditions. However, it is notable that the children remain vulnerable considering the vast proportion of opportunities exposing the children to possible acts of forced labor. Consequently, the vast conceptualization of the issue involves the participation of other None Governmental Organizations as well as, governmental support to address the issue. Child labor as a menacing challenge to the course of the society and its development reflects a form of slavery, which is outdated from the modern social confines (Dahan & Milton 229). The hazards entailed in the issue remain of key concern, a factor that reflects the need to establish active measures for managing the course of the fight against this graft of child labor. The magnitude of the effect of child labor is in the vast millions of children lives, which are wasting from the failed efforts of managing the challenge of child labor. Thus, it is essential indeed to engage on the conclusions and recommendations of the findings of the research into child labor accordingly, which effectively constitute a worth and successful course for addressing the course for child labor. Conclusions Evidently, a vast composition of the countries across the globe subscribes to the ILO conventions regarding the subject of child labor (Swepston 577). The evidence of the severe restrictions on the issue of employing children to work against the standards of ILO leaves no reason or chance for the various perpetrators of the evil of child labor to get their goal remarkably. However, despite this establishment, the evidence gathered does reflect a contrary picture of the course over the issue. Notably, child labor remains on a high despite the adoption of various policies and standard regulations on the issue (Otis, Mayers Pasztor & Emily 617). Further, working progress also reflects that there is the vast composition of organizations, both funded by governments and others from NGOs, which work towards the alleviation of the subject of child labor. However, in spite of all the evident efforts in working for the concern of child labor, the issue remains existent on a massive scale and in appalling conditions. Thus, the evidence does reflect accordingly that talking and instituting regulation is not enough to make the issue disappear. The course requires the establishment of integrated plan worldwide for action which entails policy and program that facilitate universal and quality relevant measures and support facilities against child labor. A key conceptualization is the evidence that the course lacking in addressing the child labor issue s education. Education gives the people their freedom from exploitation as they gain the capacity to solicit employment, which is befitting of their qualifications. Similarly, with respect to children, the basic entity of their lives is education and as such, t is the leading conceptualization to address in the fight against child labor (Edmonds & Nina 215). Creating a means for the children to access universal, free and quality education particularly in the vulnerable areas will actively engage the children from the poor families who constitute the majority of child labor victims. Additionally, a holistic approach to the element of education to give a primary level for the young people to prepare for the labor market and decent working conditions rather than remaining confined to low-skilled and unsecure jobs in the informal economy will give the children a hope in the future (Edmonds & Nina 217). The basic literacy and numeric skills is not sufficient in addressing the concern and as such, proper formal education will established the permanent withdrawal of the children from work, reducing the practices of child labor (Edmonds & Nina 219). Thus, it is essential to factor the role of education accordingly, even as we engage the other measures including legislation and engagement of supporting organizations. Nonetheless, the establishment of determined organizations such as SCREAM and IPEC among others, as well as, the commitment of varied government entities in supporting these organizations is evidence of the need to further fund these efforts. Thus, as well-wishers and active participants in the emancipation of the freedoms of children, supporting the fight against the graft of child labor is a noble course towards the society (Ray & Biswajit 98). The eligibility of the organizations leading the fight against child labor is evident, considering their worldwide coverage of the issue. Thus, in these aspects, acting in support of the fight against child labor will boost the fight remarkably. Recommendations Considering the vast composition of children suffering the evil of child labor, it is essential to engage all available opportunities in support of the fight against child labor. The establishment of varied measures for addressing the practice of child labor in its global coverage requires a collaborative approach due to the expansive coverage of the issue. The significant component in approaching the issue is to first fully understand the subject of child labor and its underlying features and practices. Consequently, as the action groups enact the measures, the various significant factors to consider entail the following. First, in relating to the issue of child labor across various societies, the actions and support against child labor should start from the country of action, particularly in terms of planning, implementation and resources mobilization. Initializing this approach will create a comprehensive and integrated national plan against the evil of child labor (Srivastava 2). The entire course for this approach is the realization that child labor takes different forms in different societies. For instance, in the developed countries, the expansive child labor may include domestic working and trafficking among others while in the developing nations, child labor may major on child soldiers (Srivastava 2). Additionally, the level of development of social and supporting amenities including education facilities may differ, hence, the course of planning and availing resources in the fight against child labor should have a conceptualized national plan, which aligns with the globally established plan and legislation against child labor (Srivastava 2). Thus, the approach ought to be flexible accordingly to adapt to the established specific circumstances in the given country. Notably, the adoption of varied legislation to guard against the graft is not enough (Sirohi 11). The establishment of varied organizations to forge the fight against child labor, although gaining ground, the success is stalling. Any support and every support that the fight against child labor can get from across the board is necessary to forge a worthy fight against the vast and complex issue of child labor. Alleviating child labor requires emancipation of the people as well as facilitating opportunities for better life. Thus, supporting the fight against the graft of child labor is a noble and reasonable course to undertake. The concern is deserving of all the support from all sources. Works cited Choppara, Srinivasa R. Stolen Childhood: Child Labour. Saarbrücken: LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, 2012. Internet resource. Dahan, Nicolas, and Milton Gittens. "Business And The Public Affairs Of Slavery: A Discursive Approach Of An Ethical Public Issue."Journal Of Business Ethics 92.2 (2010): 227- 249. Business Source Complete. Web. 9 Apr. 2015. Edmonds, Eric V., and Nina Pavcnik. "Child Labor in the Global Economy." The Journal of Economic Perspectives 19.1 (2010): 199-220. ProQuest. Web. 23 Mar. 2015. Otis, Jack, Mayers Pasztor Eileen, and Emily Jean McFadden. "Child Labor: A Forgotten Focus for Child Welfare." Child welfare80.5 (2011): 611-22. ProQuest. Web. 23 Mar. 2015. Ray, Runa, and Biswajit Chatterjee. "Trade And Child Labour: A Review Of Theoretical Literature." Journal Of International Economics (0976-0792) 3.1 (2012): 93- 113. Business Source Complete. Web. 9 Apr. 2015. Srivastava, Kalpana. "Child Labour Issues and Challenges." Industrial Psychiatry Journal 20.1 (2011): 1-3. ProQuest. Web. 23 Mar. 2015. Schmitz, Cathryne L, Elizabeth K. J. Traver, and Desi Larson. Child Labor: A Global View. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 2004. Internet resource. Sirohi, Rahul A. "Child Labour, Human Capital Accumulation And Foreign Aid." Journal Of Economic Development 39.3 (2014): 1-14. Business Source Complete. Web. 9 Apr. 2015. Swepston, Lee. "Child Labour: Its Regulation By ILO Standards And National Legislation." International Labour Review 121.5 (1982): 577. Business Source Complete. Web. 9 Apr. 2015 Wyness, Michael. "Global Standards And Deficit Childhoods: The Contested Meaning Of Childrens Participation." Childrens Geographies 11.3 (2013): 340-353. Academic Search Premier. Web. 9 Apr. 2015. Read More